Cupid Lamps and Pate de verre

In Roman mythology, Cupid is the helper of the goddess of love, Venus. He is usually pictured as an (almost) nude boy with wings and a bow and arrow. According to the legend, he shoots arrows in the hearts people and gods to make them fall in love.

Pâte-de-verre (glass paste) is a technique that was first used in Ancient Egypt. French glass makers reinvented the process at the turn of the 19th century. The process of making Pâte-de-verre consists of grinding glass to powder. Then a thinning agent is added, followed by the desired colour. The mixture is molten and is then build up in layers or it is poured into a mould and then reheated. This way the glass will get the characteristic ‘sugary’ structure on the surface and it often has a matte, speckled colour.

Famous names from the Art Nouveau period are: Müller Frères or Daum.

Antique Style Web Store offers various coloured Pâte-de-verre glass lampshades online. It is combined with stunning basic bronze or brass fittings: fittings in the shape of classically dressed ladies and handsome gentlemen, cast fittings such as Cupid (even impressive Cupid chandeliers can be ordered!), fittings with an angel, fittings with floral and leaf motifs, angular or frivolous fittings to hang on the wall or to use a free-standing lamp. There is enough choice for a romantic or heavenly feeling! Classic, historical houses, pubs, restaurants, and hotels can all be fitted with a memorable design with the lighting models that are on offer.

Besides the Pâte-de-verre glass lampshades, the impressive fittings can also be delivered with lampshades made of etched glass (brown, white or pink coloured) or the lively glass bead lampshades (transparent glass).